Concert preview: Three diverse local acts serve as an enticing warm-up for Off the Grid

This year’s Off the Grid, a dance party-slash-fund raiser that benefits the Wexner Center’s educational programming, takes place March 8 and includes sets from New York-based DJ Cosmo Baker, George Brazil and Nick Tolford & Company.

First, however, the Wex will host a warm-up party at Ace of Cups featuring an excellent (and musically varied) trio of locals. Counterfeit Madison — essentially Sharon Udoh and a rotating cast of players — will kick things off with a set heavy on swinging piano soul and busted blues balladry. Andrew Graham & Swarming Branch follows with its eccentric, Americana-and-country-soul-steeped pop. And rapper-slash-wordsmith Envelope closes out the night with his whip-smart rhymes.